These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
Get up to speed with what’s happening in the fastest growing region in the world.
Asia shares join global rout as markets head for worst week since 2008 financial crisis; STI down 2%
Global share prices headed for the worst week since the darkest days of the world financial crisis in 2008 as investors braced for the coronavirus to become a pandemic and rapidly spread around the world.
In Asia on Friday Japan's Nikkei gave up 3.4 percent on rising fears the Olympics planned in July-August may be called off due to the coronavirus.
The Shanghai Composite Index sank 2.2 percent when trading began, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index tumbled 2 percent. – The Straits Times
Special Dewan Rakyat sitting: 'First time for Malaysia'
The 222 members of parliament who will convene for the special Dewan Rakyat sitting face a tough task.
They have to decide to call for a vote of confidence, elect a new prime minister or have snap polls. – The New Straits Times
Rohingya Repatriation: Cambodia to support Bangladesh within ASEAN framework
Cambodia has assured Bangladesh of its support within the framework of ASEAN as Dhaka sought Phnom Penh’s support for safe repatriation of Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine State.
The Rohingya issue was discussed at the first-ever Joint Commission (JC) meeting between Bangladesh and Cambodia held at State guesthouse Meghna in the city on Thursday. – Khmer Times
Maldives appoints Amal Clooney at UN court on Rakhine case
The government of Maldives has decided to intervene in a recent case brought against Myanmar in a UN court by The Gambia.
The Maldives explained that the decision to file the declaration was consistent with its position of advocating for accountability against the atrocities committed against the Muslim refugees in Northern Rakhine, the foreign ministry of the Republic of Maldives said in an online statement on Tuesday. – Myanmar Times
Tourism sector scrambles for virus support
Tourism businesses have been knocked comatose by the virus panic spreading around the country, while the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) cut its estimate for international arrivals to 33 million in 2020.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) reported foreign tourists using Atta member services from January to Feb 20 was 500,232, a decrease of 40.7%. During Feb 1-20, the numbers slid 74.1% to 90,908 tourists. – Bangkok Post